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It all began in Scotland and this impressive streak remains unbroken. That fateful evening at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his final assignment. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, whereas almost all spectators expected his tenure would be brief, the coach spoke about a pathway emerging - and interestingly, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland proved right.

36 months and later, Spain advanced to within touching distance of global football participation, while simultaneously racking up their 29th straight competitive game without defeat, matching the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate 12 points from twelve in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Gunners' midfielder and sometime forward scored the opening two goals and could have secured his second three-goal haul in three Spain appearances but when fouled in the final minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real striker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 showpiece, who continued the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, readers may have observed the asterisk, and rightly so. While FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. Yet formally at least, this present team has matched that historic team against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the record will be theirs alone. En route they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 sitting No. 1, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, aggregate score 15-0. Occurred two instances immediately after La Selección obtained their opening goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but eventually their opponents had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

Overall count read: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. Ultimately, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere at once: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he flitted through their lines. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive as well.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name during the first half, he had just slipped unnoticed into the area once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had previously lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered an additional back from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

A disguised delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He got a chance of his own only to fail to find a proper connection, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, now had the advantage. The positioning chart appeared like they had exhausted supply of marking paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and hitting the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The delivery from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header downward and dash off to celebrate around the flagpost.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov sent through and sending his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Still it was not completely finished, Merino fouled in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.